Washington, DC celebrates Black History Month each February and remembers the contributions of African Americans in the United States with numerous events and cultural programs. Here are some special events and relevant places to visit in Washington, DC to remember and recognize the history of Black Americans.
Martin Luther King Memorial – The National Memorial honors the life and contributions made by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ranger talks are given regularly and highlight historic facts about the Civil Rights leader. Visit the Memorial during Black History Month and learn something new.
Smithsonian Black History Month Family Day Celebration – February 7, 2016, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Ave., NW Washington DC. The Smithsonian kicks off its celebration of Black History Month with a day of music and drama performances, arts and craft activities and other themed activities. The full day of activities is inspired by the exhibition Rising Up: Hale Woodruff’s Murals at Talladega College which features murals by prominent African American artist Hale Woodruff that portray significant events in the journey of African Americans from slavery to freedom.
Newseum – “1965: Civil Rights at 50” – This new exhibit explores the dramatic civil rights events of 1966, including the rise of the black power movement and the ambush and shooting of James Meredith during his “walk against fear” through Mississippi.
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities – Through February 2016. The DC organization will feature free programs to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans in art, literature, politics and education.
Black History Month programs will be held at various locations through the District of Columbia.
Frederick Douglass Birthday Event – February 12-13, 2016. The National Park Service celebrates Douglass’ birthday with events at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the Anacostia Arts Center, the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, the Islamic Heritage Museum and Cultural Center and the Anacostia Playhouse. The birthday celebration features an array of programs and activities dedicated to increasing the public’s knowledge of Douglass’ life. All programs are free and are open to the public.
National Archives – Celebrate Black History Month in February with special films, public programs, and lectures. These programs are open to the public and will be held at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC and at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
DC Public Library – Throughout the month of February, the DC Public Library offers special programs celebrating Black History Month. Programs include art exhibits, jazz concerts, book discussions, theatrical workshops and more.
Navy Memorial & US Navy Band Concerts
- “Authors on Deck” – 2016 Date to Be Announced. United States Naval Heritage Center, Presidents Room, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC.
- Free, live performances by the U.S. Navy Band will be held at the United States Navy Memorial in honor of Black History Month. African Americans have had a major presence in the U.S. Navy since the 19th Century. Their role grew tremendously during the Civil War when many newly freed slaves joined forces with U.S. sailors in working towards a common goal. The concerts are part of a series that celebrates different ethnicities in the Navy.
Anacostia Community Museum – Throughout the year, the Smithsonian Institution’s museum of African American history and culture offers exhibitions, educational programs, workshops, lectures, film screenings and other special events that interpret black history from the 1800s to the present.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate – Throughout the month of February Mount Vernon will honor the slaves who lived and worked at George Washington’s estate with a daily 12 p.m. wreathlaying at the Slave Memorial. On Saturdays and Sundays in February, visitors learn about life as a slave with Silla and Slammin’ Joe, two of Washington’s slaves, at the recently-opened slave cabin. Tom Davis, an enslaved brickmaker, presents his perspective on Saturdays and Sundays in the greenhouse at 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The Marquis de Lafayette talks about his efforts to end slavery in the Greenhouse on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. All Black History Month events are included in the regular admission price to the estate.
Arlington House – 1:30 p.m., Sundays and Saturdays throughout February. Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, will present special guided tours in recognition of African American History month. Visitors can explore the newly restored historic North slaves’ quarters and learn about the enslaved population living at the Arlington estate on the eve of the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln Birthday Observance – February 12, 2016, noon. Lincoln Memorial, 23rd & Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC. Honor Abraham Lincoln at a Presidential wreath laying ceremony and a dramatic reading of the “Gettysburg Address.” For more information, call (202) 619-7222.
African American Civil War Memorial and Museum – This Washington, DC site honors and examines the African American’s heroic struggle for freedom and civil rights. The memorial is the only one in the United States to honor Colored Troops (USCT) who served in the Civil War. The museum uses photographs, documents and state of the art audio visual equipment to educate visitors about this important part of American history.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site – 1411 W St. SE, Washington, DC. Tours of the historic home are available daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Frederick Douglass’ birthday will be celebrated on February 12-13 with music, presentations, programs on the history of Anacostia, children’s activities, and lots of talk about the books he wrote, the books he read, and how reading and writing can change the world.
Black History Month Cruise Aboard the Spirit of Washington – February 20, 2016. Take an educational and entertaining lunch cruise to remember those who have influenced African-American culture. This cruise will feature DJ in tribute to Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Diana Ross, Prince and much more. The cruise boards at 11:00 a.m. and cruises from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $49.90 per adult, $29.95 ages 3-12.
Old Town Alexandria – The National Register of Historic Places lists several historic sites in Alexandria, Virginia as locations where African Americans lived, worked and worshiped during the period 1790 through 1951. Take a tour of these sites and learn about this important part of our regional history. Read more about Black History in Alexandria
Josiah Henson Historic Site – February 27-28, 2016. 11420 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, MD. Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission will celebrate Black History Month with free guided tours. Participants will retrace Reverend Josiah Henson’s footsteps from his enslavement on Isaac Riley’s plantation to his escape on the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada. Henson’s extraordinary life was documented in his 1849 autobiography that inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s famous novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852.
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